Snyder's Request for Federal Disaster Assistance Approved for Mecosta County

Contact: Nicole Lisabeth, MSP/EMHSD Public Information Officer, (517) 336-6464

Agency: State Police

LANSING, MICH. Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved his request for a disaster declaration for Mecosta County, making low-interest disaster loans available to residents and businesses affected by severe flooding in late January and early February. 

The declaration covers Mecosta County and the neighboring counties of Clare, Isabella, Lake, Montcalm, Newaygo and Osceola.

"I am pleased the Small Business Administration will provide financial assistance to individuals and businesses affected by the floods," Snyder said. "The availability of these loans will bring some relief to those working to recover and rebuild."

The SBA disaster assistance program provides low-interest disaster loans for uninsured losses incurred by homeowners, renters and businesses and nonprofit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed. The SBA tailors the repayment of each disaster loan to the borrower's financial capability.

The SBA will establish a temporary disaster recovery center in the affected area for one-on-one assistance, which will open later this week.  Loan applications will also be available online at www.sba.gov or by mail.

The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is responsible for coordinating state and federal resources to assist local government in response and relief activities in the event of an emergency or disaster, as well as coordinating homeland security initiatives and various federal grants.